Research is the building block of the academic, scientific, and business communities nowadays. It helps individuals, academicians, researchers, and businesses understand opportunities, risks, and knowledge hidden from a general perspective. Research and research methods form the backbone of corporate companies and help identify market trends and opportunities. From an academic perspective, research sharpens the learners' assessments and skills, tests hypotheses, and comes to conclusions with the concrete evidence obtained through research. Researchers also conduct research across the domains to identify public opinion on things like elections and other important matters. In all this, research methods are used, adjusted to necessities and the scope of the project, to get reliable conclusions. Several research methodologies are popular in the research domain across academics, businesspeople, and other types of researchers. And in this article, we will discuss the types of research methods that are available to researchers.
Types of Research Methodology
Research methods are classified based on different factors and under different categories. Some factors include the nature of the study, the purpose of the research, and the design and type of data obtained that can affect the type of research and its advantages and disadvantages in the given situation. In some research, researchers combine two or three research methodologies to get reliable data and come to reasonable conclusions. There are also interviews and case studies based on research methodology.
Major Types of Research Methods
1. Qualitative Research Method
Qualitative research is used to understand and interpret the meaning behind social phenomena. It seeks to explore and understand the perspectives and experiences of individuals, groups, or communities. Qualitative research does this by collecting non-numerical data like narratives, interviews, and observations. Qualitative research is often used when the research question involves understanding the underlying reasons, opinions, or motivations behind a particular behaviour or phenomenon. For example, a qualitative study may seek to understand the experiences of individuals living with chronic illness or the perspectives of teachers on the implementation of a new educational policy. In the business world, market researchers employ this method to understand market trends and expectations through product reviews, customer interviews, and surveys.
Qualitative research is known for its flexibility. It allows the researcher to adjust their approach and methods as the study progresses. Hence, the researcher gains a deep understanding of the topic. In turn, they can explore unexpected insights that may arise during the research process. It gives ideas, fresh perspectives, and market opportunities for the business conducting it. Businesses that understand their customers' needs will have market leverage that their competitors lack.
2. Quantitative Research Method
Quantitative research is an empirical research method. It aims to quantify data and generalise results from a sample to the entire population. It involves collecting numerical data through structured methods such as surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis. Quantitative research usually involves large sample sizes to ensure that the results are statistically significant and reliable. The data collected in quantitative research is typically analysed using statistical methods to identify patterns and relationships between variables. The findings are often presented in the form of tables, graphs, and charts.
Quantitative research is commonly used in fields like economics, psychology, sociology, and market research. In these fields, data can be objectively measured and analysed making them ideal for quantitative research. It is particularly useful in identifying cause-and-effect relationships and making predictions about future trends or behaviours. Surveys and exit polls regarding upcoming elections in a democracy and public opinion collection about a particular social issue are examples of quantitative research. However, this method may not capture the rich and complex nuances of human experiences, emotions, and behaviours that qualitative research can provide. This is because quantitative research only collects data in numerical values or with limited options to choose from.
3. Mixed Research Methods
Mixed-methods research is an approach that combines both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Hence, it provides a more comprehensive understanding of a research question. It involves collecting and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data and then integrating the two approaches to gain a robust understanding of the research problem. Mixed-methods research can be used in a variety of fields, like the social sciences, health sciences, education, and business. It is particularly useful when dealing with complex research questions that cannot be easily answered using a single research method. Mixed research methods allow researchers to gather a wider range of data. This leads to more accurate and meaningful results. It can also help to validate findings from one method with another, increasing the overall reliability of the research.
Mixed-methods research can also provide a more complete understanding of the research topic by combining both qualitative and quantitative data. However, some factors, like the need for specialised knowledge and skills to design and conduct such studies, can keep businesses from employing this method. As integrating the two research methods is a difficult and complex process, there is always a risk that one method may overshadow the other, leading to biased or incomplete results. Experienced professionals and market research firms can solve the problem more easily than businesses that have no experience with or understanding of the research method.
Types of Research based on the Nature of the Research
1. Descriptive Research
This is a research method that presents a detailed account of the features of the population or the trend or phenomenon being studied. It focuses on the "what" of the research problem rather than the "why." It aims to report the facts accurately without any influence from the researcher. The primary methods employed in descriptive research are observations, surveys, and case studies. These methods use many variables to explain the facts. Its advantages include its effectiveness in analysing non-numerical topics and issues, observation in a natural environment, and requiring less time than quantitative experiments.
2. Analytical Research
Analytical research uses facts to form the foundation of the research. Researchers often conduct this type of research to find supporting data that strengthens and authenticates their previous findings and to develop new concepts related to the research subject. This type of research combines details to produce more credible hypotheses and explains the validity of a claim. There are various methods for conducting analytical research, such as meta-analysis, scientific or literary trials, and studying public opinion. In this method, the researcher critically evaluates the material, and analytical methods often employ quantitative methods.
Based on the Purpose of the Study
1. Applied Research
This research method focuses on studying a specific domain and generalising the findings. The researcher considers the variables as constants and forecasts, making the research methods easier to find. The goal of applied research is to solve a current issue facing society or a business entity. It is typically conducted by a business, government body, or individual to address a particular problem. Examples of this type of research can be a study on how to improve illiteracy in teenagers or a study looking for ways to market products to millennials.
2. Fundamental Research
This research method focuses on formulating theories and generalisations. Its primary aim is to discover new facts with a wide range of applications, supplementing existing ideas in a particular field or industry. The research often spans multiple domains and aims to discover how to change traditional methods or develop something new. The findings can be summarised in everyday language, and the logical conclusions can be applied to the research. Examples of fundamental research can be the analysis of product placement as an effective marketing strategy or an investigation into the main elements of branding.
Based on the Research Design
1. Exploratory Research
Exploratory research is based on theories and their explanations, and its primary goal is to investigate study questions rather than provide definitive and conclusive solutions to current problems. It aims to increase our understanding of the issue rather than offer conclusive evidence. The structure is flexible and investigative, and hypotheses are not tested. The findings usually relate to related topics that help improve the research. Exploratory research is typically qualitative, but a large-sample exploratory study can also be quantitative. Due to its open-ended nature, it is often known as interpretive research or a grounded theory approach. A study on the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy would be an example of exploratory research.
2. Conclusive Research
Conclusive research has a well-defined methodology and a clear design that aims to answer the research question. The structure helps formulate and solve hypotheses and provides generic results. It is essential to establish research objectives and data requirements, as conclusive research findings typically have a specific purpose. The results of exploratory studies can be validated and quantified using a conclusive research design. A conclusive research design typically employs quantitative methods of data collection and analysis and often takes a deductive research approach.
Based on the Type of Data
1. Primary Research
This is research that is conducted firsthand by collecting new data directly from the source. Primary research can take many forms, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and experiments. The purpose of primary research is to gather information that is specific to the research question being studied. This type of research is often conducted by researchers themselves or by hired research firms. Primary research can be time-consuming and costly, but it provides researchers with more control over the data collected and ensures the data is relevant to their specific research question.
2. Secondary Research
This is research that involves analysing and synthesising data that has already been collected by someone else. This type of research includes reviewing academic journals, reports, and government statistics. The purpose of secondary research is to gain a better understanding of a topic by analysing existing information and data. Secondary research is often less expensive and quicker than primary research. However, it is important to consider the quality and relevance of the data sources used in secondary research to ensure the data is accurate and reliable.
Primary research provides researchers with more control over the data collected, but it can be time-consuming and expensive. Secondary research is quicker and less expensive, but the quality and relevance of the data sources used must be carefully considered. Ultimately, the choice between primary and secondary research will depend on the research question being studied, the resources available, and the desired level of control over the data collected.
Related Blog - Research Methods
Some Common Data Collection Methods
Surveys
Surveys are a popular research method used in both quantitative and qualitative studies. They gather data from a large number of participants and are useful for investigating attitudes, behaviours, beliefs, and opinions. Researchers can use surveys to collect data on a wide range of topics, including political preferences, consumer preferences, and health behaviours. Surveys can be administered in a variety of formats, including online, paper and pencil, or by telephone. Social media platforms have made it easier for researchers to conduct surveys. They can also be conducted using a cross-sectional or longitudinal design. Surveys have the advantage that they are relatively inexpensive and can be completed quickly, allowing researchers to gather data from a large and diverse population. However, surveys also have limitations, such as response bias, social desirability bias, and low response rates.
Case Studies
Case studies are an in-depth analysis of a specific individual, group, or event. They are used in both quantitative and qualitative research and are often used in psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Case studies provide detailed information on complex phenomena that cannot be easily understood through other research methods. Researchers can use case studies to investigate the behaviour and experiences of a specific group or individual, to understand the dynamics of a social system, or to evaluate an intervention or treatment program. However, case studies also have limitations like the lack of generalisability to other populations and the potential for researcher bias in selecting cases or interpreting data. Case studies require a considerable amount of time, resources, and expertise to conduct. This can limit the scope and scale of the research.
Conclusion
Research methods are constantly evolving. Choosing the right research method or a combination of research methods requires thought and careful consideration of the intention and scope of the research. Research methods can be categorised based on their functionality, purpose, design, or data. Surveys and case studies are popular and supportive data collection methods for most research methods. Quantitative methods use numerical data to test hypotheses and make statistical inferences, while qualitative methods focus on understanding the meaning behind social phenomena through non-numerical data collection techniques like interviews, observations, and narratives. Mixed-methods research combines the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the research question. Descriptive, analytical, exploratory, and conclusive research methods can be used in both quantitative and qualitative research, depending on the research question.
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